'England know Pakistan bowlers India jaise nahi hain' - Shoaib Akhtar's distasteful remarks ahead of T20 World Cup final

Pakistan will square off against pre-tournament favorites England in the final of the T20 World Cup at the iconic MCG on Sunday, the 13th of November. England are the favorites heading into the tie after their resounding victory over India in the semi-final, however former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar took a sly dig at his neighbors saying Pakistani bowlers are not like India.

Jos Buttler's England ran riot against a hapless Indian bowling unit, subjecting them to an embarrassing ten-wicket defeat. But Shoaib Akhtar feels that the English players will not be let off that easily against the Pakistani bowlers, who won't surrender as meekly as the Indians. He stated that Buttler and co will have to work hard if they want to lift the elusive trophy in Melbourne.

“Farak ye padega ki England ek comprehensive position me hai. England ka confidence sky-rocketing hoga. England ko pata hai ki yahan par Pakistan bowlers India bowling ki tarah nahi hai. Yahan kuch na kuch karke jeetna padega. Itni aasani se walkover nahi milega. (The difference is that England are in a comprehensive position, their confidence will be sky-rocketing. England know Pakistan bowlers are not like India. They will have to work hard to win, they won't get a walkover),” Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel.

A lot depends on Babar and Rizwan: Shoaib Akhtar

Talking about the mercurial opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Akhtar said that they have finally found their groove after guiding Pakistan to victory against the Kiwis in the semi-final. The former tearaway pacer feels that the experienced duo will have to be at their best if Pakistan hopes to clinch the prestigious trophy on Sunday.

“Babar aur Rizwan pe bohot depend karta hai. Jis strike rate se khele hain, vo important hain. Jin 6 overs me hamaara strike rate missing tha, vo vaapis aa gaya hai. Melbourne wicket allow karegi aapko ki aap ussi strike rate ko maintain karke khelein. (A lot depends on Babar and Rizwan. Their strike rate against New Zealand was very important. The wicket in Melbourne would allow them to maintain a similar strike rate),” Akhtar added.